Hejna, Schmitt, Wheeler, Sacquitne, Elsbernd top second night of Cresco USRA Nationals

CRESCO, Iowa (Oct 12) - The roar of engines filled the air at the Mighty Howard County Fairgrounds for a second straight night Friday, as the Cresco Speedway hosted the inaugural Cresco USRA Nationals. Capturing feature wins on the night were Al Hejna (USRA Modifieds), Tom Schmitt (USRA Stock Cars), Dan Wheeler (USRA B-Mods), Dan Sacquitne (USRA Hobby Stocks) and Justin Elsbernd (Outlaw Hobbys).

On Thursday night, the top-6 main event finishers were locked into the first six spots on the inside row for Saturday's championship races, while Friday locked the top-6 into the outside row for Saturday's finales.

Afer finishing one position out of the transfer spot on Thursday, Ventura's Al Hejna bounced back on Friday to take the USRA Modified feature win. Tommy Myer of Blooming Prairie, Minn., failed to finish on Thursday, but earned a runner-up finish on Friday to join Hejna in Saturday's $5,000-to-win main event. Darrin Walch of Postville was third, Mark Noble of Blooming Prairie, Minn., finished fourth, Nate Caruth of Ames took fifth and Craig Scott of Rosemount, Minn., rounded out the top-6 finishers.

In USRA Stock Car action, USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series national champion Tom Schmitt of Independence rocketed from seventh on the starting grid to overtake Zack VanderBeek of New Sharon for the win. VanderBeek, who will pull double duty again Saturday after winning Thursday's Modified main event, finished second ahead of Cresco's Shay Curtin, Nathan Wood of Keswick, Don Rude of Decorah and Lynn Panos of Protivin. The top-6 locked themselves into the outside row for Saturday's $2,000-to-win finale.

Dan Wheeler of Columbia Heights, Minn., captured the USRA B-Mod feature, with Brett Moffitt of Grimes taking second. Rounding out the top-6 finishers and advancing to Saturday's $1,000-to-win championship were Raymond Lundry of Maynard, Eugene Bentz of Avoca, Minn., Clint Bodensteiner of Castalia and Hampton's Tom Rooney.

The USRA Hobby Stock main event saw Decorah's Dan Sacquitne hold off Nick Schwebach of Caledonia, Minn., for the win. Third went to Bernie Adams of Stacyville, Dustin Griffiths of Ottumwa was fourth, fifth went to Derek Dettmann of Monona and Stacyville's Kory Adams finished sixth to earn the final transfer spot into Saturday's $1,000-to-win contest.

Justin Elsbernd of Runnells raced from ninth on the starting grid to capture Friday's Outlaw Hobby main event, holding off USRA Casey's General Stores Weekly Racing Series national champion Mitch Hovden of Decorah. Third through sixth went to Jeff Soper of Kahoka, Mo., Jake Wenig of Burlington, Brady Halverson of Ridgeway and Paul Fauser of Elgin.

All drivers failing to qualify on Thursday or Friday will redraw for heat races for Saturday night. All drivers racing on Saturday will have two chances to get into Saturday’s main event via heat races and last chance races. Saturday night’s show will feature qualifying heats, last chance races and the championship features in all five divisions.

On Saturday, USRA Modifieds will race for whopping $5,000 to win while USRA Stock Cars battle for $2,000 to win. USRA B-Mods, USRA Hobby Stocks and Outlaw Hobbys will each contend for a top prize of $1,000 on Saturday.

Pit gates open at 2 p.m., grandstands open at 3, hot laps are at 4:30 and racing kicks off at 5 p.m. Adult general admission grandstand tickets are $15, Juniors (12-18) and Seniors (62+) are just $12 and kids 11 & under get in for FREE.

This event is sanctioned by the United States Racing Association (USRA), however, a USRA license is not required to compete in this event. For Modifieds, Stock Cars and B-Mods, the American Racer KK704/G60 or Hoosier G60 tires are allowed. Grooving and siping is allowed. For track rules go to www.rlpromotions.com/cresco and click on the “Classes” link, or visit www.usraracing.com.

For more information, contact the RL Promotions offices at (515) 832-6000 or visit www.rlpromotions.com online. Race day info is available by calling the track hotline at (563) 547-3400. The Cresco Speedway is located 0.2 miles north of SR 9 on SW 7th (at the Howard County Fairgrounds). For more information about the United States Racing Association (USRA), visit them online at www.usraracing.com.

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OFFICIAL RESULTS
Inaugural Cresco USRA Nationals - Night 2 of 3
Cresco Speedway, Cresco, Iowa
Friday, Oct. 12, 2007

Showing finishing position, car number, driver, hometown and starting position in parentheses. The top-6 finishers in each A Main will be locked in to the first six starting positions on the outside row for Saturday's championship features.

USRA MODIFIEDS

Heat 1:
1. 00 - J.D. Auringer -- Evansdale, IA (1)
2. 7 - Al Hejna -- Ventura, IA (4)
3. 37b - Ron Barker -- Dubuque, IA (7)
4. 7c - Nate Caruth -- Ames, IA (2)
5. 55s - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (3)
6. 0x - Jay Ihrke -- Dover, MN (8)
7. 93 - Bob Fisher -- Lyle, MN (6)
8. 17 - Chad Sovern -- West Burlington, IA (5)

Heat 2:
1. 5w - Darrin Walch -- Postville, IA (4)
2. 42 - Tom Paulson -- Kasson, MN (1)
3. 0 - Craig Scott -- Rosemount, MN (2)
4. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (8)
5. 35 - Ron Konkel -- Caledonia, MN (5)
6. 96 - Greg Jensen -- Albert Lea, MN (7)
7. 25x - Tom Brink -- Winona, MN (6)
8. 27 - Kyle Lentz -- Green Bay, WI (3)

Heat 3:
1. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (1)
2. 27m - Mark Schulte -- Delhi, IA (3)
3. 10 - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (6)
4. X - Mike Wedelstadt -- Hortonville, WI (4)
5. 7x - Ron Britain -- Winona, MN (5)
6. 99 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (7)
7. 2 - Carey Umbarger -- Garner, IA (8)
8. 55 - Larry Hall -- Rochester, MN (2)

A Main:
1. 7 - Al Hejna -- Ventura, IA (2)
2. 65 - Tommy Myer -- Blooming Prairie, MN (5)
3. 5w - Darrin Walch -- Postville, IA (1)
4. 74 - Mark Noble -- Blooming Prairie, MN (4)
5. 7c - Nate Caruth -- Ames, IA (7)
6. 0 - Craig Scott -- Rosemount, MN (11)
7. 27m - Mark Schulte -- Delhi, IA (9)
8. 99 - Doug Hillson -- Blooming Prairie, MN (18)
9. 35 - Ron Konkel -- Caledonia, MN (14)
10. 00 - JD Auringer -- Evansdale, IA (12)
11. 55s - Brian Shaw -- Brownsdale, MN (13)
12. 0x - Jay Ihrke -- Dover, MN (16)
13. 96 - Greg Jensen -- Albert Lea, MN (17)
14. 7x - Ron Britain -- Winona, MN (15)
15. 25x - Tom Brink -- Winona, MN (20)
16. 2 - Carey Umbarger -- Garner, IA (21)
17. 55 - Larry Hall -- Rochester, MN (24)
18. 17 - Chad Sovern -- West Burlington, IA (22)
19. X - Mike Wedelstadt -- Hortonville, WI (10) DNF
20. 93 - Bob Fisher -- Lyle, MN (19) DNF
21. 42 - Tom Paulson -- Kasson, MN (3) DNF
22. 10 - Mike Steensma -- Luverne, MN (6) DNF
23. 37b - Ron Barker -- Dubuque, IA (8) DNF
24. 27 - Kyle Lentz -- Green Bay, WI (23) DNF

USRA STOCK CARS

Heat 1:
1. 18 - Tom Schmitt -- Independence, IA (3)
2. 44 - Don Rude -- Decorah, IA (1)
3. 77 - Josh Smith -- Elma, IA (2)
4. 88 - Danny Cole Jr. -- Lansing, IA (5)
5. Z06 - Loren Kuennen -- Ossion, IA (4)
6. 97 - Lynn Panos -- Protivin, IA (8)
7. 20r - Gary Rotenberger -- Calmar, IA (7)
8. 17 - Chad Halverson -- Decorah, IA (6)

Heat 2:
1. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (3)
2. 40 - Shay Curtin -- Cresco, IA (5)
3. 9 - Patty Fosaaen -- Waukon, IA (1)
4. 1 - Jeff Krambeer -- Postville, IA (4)
5. 52 - Nathan Wood -- Keswick, IA (6)
6. 11 - Jake Lampert -- Caledonia, MN (2)
7. 121g - Arlen Hoy -- Marble Rock, IA (8)
8. 37 - Carl Colsch -- Eitzen, MN (7)

A Main:
1. 18 - Tom Schmitt -- Independence, IA (7)
2. 33z - Zack VanderBeek -- New Sharon, IA (1)
3. 40 - Shay Curtin -- Cresco, IA (6)
4. 52 - Nathan Wood -- Keswick, IA (3)
5. 44 - Don Rude -- Decorah, IA (4)
6. 97 - Lynn Panos -- Protivin, IA (11)
7. 9 - Patty Fosaaen -- Waukon, IA (9)
8. 1 - Jeff Krambeer -- Postville, IA (2)
9. Z06 - Loren Kuennen -- Ossion, IA (8)
10. 88 - Danny Cole Jr. -- Lansing, IA (5)
11. 11 - Jake Lampert -- Caledonia, MN (12)
12. 121g - Arlen Hoy -- Marble Rock, IA (14)
13. 20r - Gary Rotenberger -- Calmar, IA (13)
14. 77 - Josh Smith -- Elma, IA (10)
15. 37 - Carl Colsch -- Eitzen, MN (16)
16. 17 - Chad Halverson -- Decorah, IA (15) DNF

USRA B-MODS

Heat:
1. Red1 - Dan Wheeler -- Columbia Heights, MN (2)
2. 96 - Raymond Lundry -- Maynard, IA (7)
3. 13 - Brett Moffitt -- Grimes, IA (5)
4. 11 - Eugene Betz -- Avoca, MN (6)
5. 69 - Steve Wiltse -- Charles City, IA (4)
6. 74 - Clint Bodensteiner -- Castalia, IA (1)
7. 80 - Tom Rooney -- Hampton, IA (3) DNF

A Main:
1. Red1 - Dan Wheeler -- Columbia Heights, MN (1)
2. 13 - Brett Moffitt -- Grimes, IA (2)
3. 96 - Raymond Lundry -- Maynard, IA (4)
4. 11 - Eugene Betz -- Avoca, MN (3)
5. 74 - Clint Bodensteiner -- Castalia, IA (6)
6. 80 - Tom Rooney -- Hampton, IA (7)
7. 69 - Steve Wiltse -- Charles City, IA (5) DNF

USRA HOBBY STOCKS

Heat:
1. 38s - Nick Schwebach -- Caledonia, MN (2)
2. 10g - Dustin Griffiths -- Ottumwa, IA (5)
3. 55 - Derek Dettmann -- Monona, IA (4)
4. 6 - Dan Sacquitne -- Decorah, IA (6)
5. 101 - Bernie Adams -- Stacyville, IA (8)
6. 101a - Kory Adams -- Stacyville, IA (3)
7. 44 - Robert Anderson -- Decorah, IA (7)
8. 25 - Chris Monson -- Clear Lake, IA (1) DNS

A Main:
1. 6 - Dan Sacquitne -- Decorah, IA (3)
2. 38s - Nick Schwebach -- Caledonia, MN (2)
3. 101 - Bernie Adams -- Stacyville, IA (5)
4. 10g - Dustin Griffiths -- Ottumwa, IA (4)
5. 55 - Derek Dettmann -- Monona, IA (1)
6. 101a - Kory Adams -- Stacyville, IA (6)
7. 44 - Robert Anderson -- Decorah, IA (7)
8. 25 - Chris Monson -- Clear Lake, IA (8) DNS

OUTLAW HOBBYS

Heat 1:
1. 20 - Keith Reed -- Fowler, IL (3)
2. 15m - Mitch Hovden -- Decorah, IA (5)
3. 21 - Bruce Lundin -- Hanley Falls, MN (1)
4. 29x - Paul Fauser -- Elgin, IA (4)
5. 00 - Jeff Fels -- West Union, IA (6)
6. 4 - Todd Watts -- Leroy, MN (7)
7. 5 - Ryan Jonesberg -- West Union, IA (8)
8. 61 - Kyle Henry -- West Union, IA (2) DNF

Heat 2:
1. 43s - Jeff Soper -- Kahoka, MO (2)
2. 22 - Justin Elsbernd -- Runnells, IA (4)
3. C21 - Dan Wenig -- Danville, IA (1)
4. 5k - Keith Schwartzhoff -- Decorah, IA (3)
5. 83b - Brady Halverson -- Ridgeway, IA (7)
6. 4L - Jim Lynch -- Donnellson, IA (6) DNF
7. 4x - Jake Wenig -- Burlington, IA (5) DNF

A Main:
1. 22 - Justin Elsbernd -- Runnells, IA (9)
2. 15m - Mitch Hovden -- Decorah, IA (5)
3. 43s - Jeff Soper -- Kahoka, MO (4)
4. 4x - Jake Wenig -- Burlington, IA (14)
5. 83b - Brady Halverson -- Ridgeway, IA (1)
6. 29x - Paul Fauser -- Elgin, IA (3)
7. 4L - Jim Lynch -- Donnellson, IA (13)
8. C21 - Dan Wenig -- Danville, IA (2)
9. 20 - Keith Reed -- Fowler, IL (8)
10. 5k - Keith Schwartzhoff -- Decorah, IA (10)
11. 21 - Bruce Lundin -- Hanley Falls, MN (6)
12. 61 - Kyle Henry -- West Union, IA (15)
13. 4 - Todd Watts -- Leroy, MN (11) DNF
14. 5 - Ryan Jonesberg -- West Union, IA (12) DNF
15. 00 - Jeff Fels -- West Union, IA (7) DNF